HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ 1. CONCERN IN ISRAEL: RUSSIA WILL SELL ADVANCED MISSILES TO SYRIA THAT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO HEZBOLLAH AND PALESTINIAN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. 2. [ATTORNEY GENERAL] MAZUZ VISITS PHILADELPHIA CORRIDOR AND CONSIDERS IDF RECOMMENDATIONS TO DEMOLISH HUNDREDS OF HOMES AHEAD OF DISENGAGEMENT. 3. GUSH KATIF RESIDENT KILLED IN BOMB EXPLOSION AT MORAG. Gideon Rivlin from Ganei Tal was on patrol with IDF officers to examine greenhouse security procedures; one of the officers was severely wounded in explosion. 4. (…). IRAQI-BORN ISRAELIS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN BAGHDAD PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS. HATZOFEH 1. Ganei Tal resident Gideon Rivlin murdered in bomb explosion during patrol to prepare for construction of security fence. FENCES HAVE SAVED LIVES – AND GIDEON PAID WITH HIS LIFE. Golani Battalion #13 deputy commander Capt. Ophir, wounded; leg partially amputated. Two additional soldiers in jeep lightly wounded. Terrorists had infiltrated greenhouses over night and planted bombs. 2. SENIOR OFFICER WHO LOST HIS LEG LIVES IN OUTPOST THAT SHARON INTENDS TO UPROOT. 3. SHARON TO MEET WITH MK YISHAI TODAY IN ORDER TO DISCUSS BRINGING SHAS INTO GOVERNMENT. State budget passes on first reading by votes of Likud loyalists. Withdrawal opponents make it clear: Ahead of votes on second and third readings, we will demand referendum. MK Aflalo, Sharon loyalist, to be appointed Deputy Industry, Trade and Employment Minister. 4. US DEMANDING THAT RUSSIA CANCEL MISSILE DEAL WITH SYRIA. MA’ARIV 1. Concern in Israel: Russia selling missiles to Syria. SHARON TO PUTIN: DON’T PUT US IN DANGER. Israeli Ambassador in Moscow summoned home for consultations. US threatening Russia: We will impose sanctions on you if you sell dangerous missiles to Assad. 2. “I CALLED DADDY BUT HE DIDN’T ANSWER.” Nir Rivlin heard on radio about explosion that killed his father. 3. Expose: RECONAISSANCE UNIT SNEAKS INTO HEART OF SENSITIVE INSTALLATION. General Staff Reconnaissance Unit fighters infiltrated one of the most guarded installations in the country. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Today: Dramatic meeting between Eli Yishai and Sharon. SHAS’S PRICE: NIS 1 BILLION. Two main issues delaying bringing Shas into government to be discussed: Disengagement and NIS 1 billion to welfare. Yishai: They offered us four portfolios, if we go in – it’s without desire. Likud rebels capitulate: They voted in favor of budget. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot comments on the current chaos in the government and points out that, “In the budget vote yesterday, there were MKs who supported the budget, even though they are opposed to the Treasury’s economic policies, because they support he government – as well as MKs who support the economic policy but who are opposed to the government.” The editors suggest that, “Political chaos runs free.” Hatzofeh asks why, if Prime Minister Sharon is so sure that he will succeed in a referendum, he does not call for one: “A referendum will prevent tearing the country apart; will prevent a civil-war and will remove in one stroke all threats posed by the disengagement plan.” Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, remarks on crisis with Russia and proposes that Moscow’s interest in a weapons deal with Syria is connected to its problems with Chechenya. BPI-info